144 
LUGKNO W. 
Mussulmauns drank none, yet they had all the appearance of it, as 
the forbidden liquor was served in abundance on the table, and they 
had two glasses of different sizes standing before them. The room was 
very well lighted up, and a band of music (which the Nawaub had 
purchased from Colonel Morris) played English tunes during the 
whole time. The scene was so singular, and so contrary to all my 
ideas of Asiatic manners, that I could hardly persuade myself that 
the whole was not a masquerade. An English apartment, a band 
in English regimentals, playing English tunes ; a room lighted by 
magnificent English girandoles, English tables, chairs, and looking 
glasses ; an English service of plate; English knives, forks, spoons, 
wine glasses, decanters and cut glass vases — how could these con- 
vey any idea that we were seated in the court of an Asiatic Prince ? 
The profusion of attendants was indeed of that country ; and in no 
other would the guards and out-of-door servants have filled every 
door-way, and even crowded round the table. After dinner, the 
bottle passed freely for a short time: about eight we rose up to 
retire, and after the compliment of attar, were conducted to the 
head of the steps where our palanquins were waiting. 
March 30. — I had paid his Excellency the Vizier the compliment 
of first visiting his own mother: this morning I accompanied 
Colonel Scott on a visit to the Begum of the late Nawaub. She 
resides in the zenana of his palace, a building going rapidly to 
decay, and without any beauty external or internal. We were ad- 
mitted into the interior, where a small garden, with a bason of 
water and a summer-house, formed the only ornaments. I was 
received by her nephew, who is married to a daughter of the pre- 
sent Vizier. We were at a very small distance from her, but the 
